A global distributed research network
At one scale, BTG could be a valuable engineering company whose services help customers develop and use trustworthy software components. At a larger scale, independently operated FarmNodes could form a network of virtual research laboratories with distinct owners, specializations and technical responsibilities. Each lab could investigate unfamiliar problems, reproduce permitted discoveries and contribute qualified capabilities to other participants.
The strongest form of this network would allow a small laboratory in rural British Columbia to solve part of a problem for an overseas manufacturer, while a university independently verifies the method and another developer builds a compatible application. The originating parties would not have to surrender every source file, research asset or contractual right merely to participate. This is a form of collaboration that existing cloud and scientific systems support in fragments; the intended contribution is the connected evidence, capability and rights record.
A global research network could be important in manufacturing, energy, agriculture, materials, scientific software and many specialized fields. Its economic significance would depend on how often its results are independently useful, not on the number of virtual nodes shown on a network map.